Refs lead way in cancer fight with local tournament

Mike Koehler's father, Larry, was a hard-working entrepreneur, running restaurants and other businesses on Long Island.

JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ

Mike Koehler's father, Larry, was a hard-working entrepreneur, running restaurants and other businesses on Long Island.

A dedicated father of six, nothing slowed Larry Koehler from working and providing for his family. Not even kidney cancer. He finally succumbed to the disease in February 1999 at age 66.

"Whenever I hear about cancer, I think of my dad," said Mike Koehler, Marlboro's boys' basketball coach. "I always will, absolutely. More and more, you see people being affected by it. It's all over the place."

On Sunday, Koehler's dad will be on his mind when undefeated Marlboro plays in the inaugural Officials vs. Cancer Tournament at SUNY New Paltz. The 12-team showcase kicks off Saturday.

The International Association of Approved Basketball Officials Board 114, which officiates games in Ulster and Dutchess counties, is putting on the tournament. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

According to Bill Proal, a referee with Board 114 for 36 years who helped organize the event, four of the association's members have died from cancer over the last decade — Whitey Raymond, Fred McCoy, Leo Darling and Jim Kyle. Proal said that the outfit's president, Kevin O'Connor of New Paltz, is in remission from nasal cancer.

The board has donated money to the national Officials vs. Cancer movement for six years. After losing so many of their own, Proal said the event will serve as a tribute to them, along with cancer victims and survivors.

"We are always reminded of these people we cared for so much," Proal said. "These men who passed were all close friends of ours. We want to do something to honor them, raise cancer awareness and bring in some good high school basketball."